Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Stars
"Together Once More"
by: Andre Garde (veritech@cryogen.com)
Part Seven: Master of Puppets
Three guardians of the stars, on a mission to find the one with the
purest star seed.
"Penetrating the darkness of night..."
"Running atmosphere of freedom..."
"Three saint comets..."
Three guardians of the stars, cursed upon by darkness and forced to live
in two very different realms.
"Who are you!?" Nyanko began prematurely. Siren tried to stop her, but
she had to know.
"Sailor Star Fighter!"
"Sailor Star Maker!"
"Sailor Star Healer!"
Three guardians of the stars, on a mission to find the one who could
defeat evil itself.
"Sailor Starlights, unite!"
The three soldiers of the stars made their appearance. All the cards
were on the table, save one.
Sailor Uranus gritted her teeth and took a fighting position, until
Neptune laid a hand on her shoulder. The Starlights ran towards the Sailor
Senshi, facing off against the anima-mates on the other side of the hall.
"Need a hand, girls?" Sailor Star Fighter asked.
Eternal Sailor Moon Moon was about to reply, when she was cut off by
Uranus. "Don't get in our way," she said coldly.
Fighter smiled. "Us? Now why would we want to do a thing like that?
Come on, we're Sailor Senshi. Let's stick together, ne?"
Sailor Moon and the Inner Senshi nodded. The rest of the Outer Senshi
showed no sign of support either way. Tension rose, until Venus broke the
oncoming silence.
"You can fight along side us. Just watch your back." She turned to do
battle with the anima-mates, when Fighter's voice froze her in her tracks.
"STAR... SERIOUS... LASER!!!"
Uranus cursed herself. "Venus, watch out! It's a doublecross!" She
sped towards the leader of the Sailor Team. She stopped short when she saw
the laser blast come into contact with a similar one that came from Sailor
Lead Crow.
"It might be a good idea if you would watch your own back," Sailor Star
Healer said. She had an amused look on her face. "Let's go!" She rushed
towards the four anima-mates, who were maintaining their position against the
twelve senshi.
"It doesn't look good, Crow-san," Sailor Aluminum Siren began.
Lead Crow looked before her. Tin Nyanko and Iron Mouse were using their
combined powers to keep the twelve at bay, but it became apparent that the
line would be broken soon. Retreat was in order.
But Death may be lying in wait, Crow thought. Nevertheless, she made
her decision.
"Get the booths ready while I help out Lazarus and the rookie over
there. We're outta here." She ran up behind the two other anima-mates and
added her powers to the fray. Aluminum Siren silently willed the London-
style telephone booths to appear. In a single flash of golden light, two
phone booths materialized in front of her. She stepped towards them, when
a streak of red flew by her, causing her to duck sharply. When she saw the
rose petals, she knew that there was going to be trouble.
True to form, Tuxedo Kamen always came in at the nick of time. "Keep
them away from the booth," he said to himself, wielding his cane and pre-
paring to go at it hand-to-hand with Siren. Mars and Jupiter backed him up
with their powers, coming at the anima-mates from behind. Venus and Pluto
immediately seized the situation -- no one was left to guard the telephone
booths.
They turned to Uranus and Mercury. "Do what you have to do," they said
in unison. They ran off to support the rest of the Sailor Team. Mercury
turned and nodded to Uranus, who acknowledged it. They sprinted towards the
twin booths, Mercury summoning the power of her mini-computer, while Uranus
covered her back. Mercury has having a hard time trying to keep up with
Uranus, who didn't even look like she was running at full speed.
"Still not up to speed, eh?" Uranus said, amused.
"No, , but I've gotten better since the last time we did this."
Uranus thought back to the events with Nephrenia. The Inner and Outer
Senshi were split up into pairs, making for unorthodox teams. Both sets of
soldiers could never really work well together, but in that experience, they
all had learned something about each other. Despite their differences, they
could get along and get the job done.
Sort of. Almost.
"Maybe it was luck," Mercury said to herself. She grinned. She knew
better.
"So far, so good," Uranus thought. The anima-mates hadn't noticed the
two as of yet. She hoped Mercury could analyze the booths in time, so that
they could at least teleport to wherever the anima-mates were headed.
Mercury touched her earring, producing the translucent wraparound visor.
She scanned every inch of either booth, collecting and amassing data, typing
it all in furiously on her computer. Excitement rose in her mind, until
Uranus shouted the warning to her.
"We've been spotted. Stop typing and give me a hand."
"But I still need to--"
"I need your help!"
"Come on, you're Sailor Uranus! I thought the Outer Senshi didn't--"
"PLEASE!"
Reluctantly, Mercury saved all the data, powering down her computer. If
Sailor Uranus needed help, there was definitely a problem. She noticed that
Uranus had her eyes fixed on Sailor Lead Crow, who looked like she was
massing her powers for an attack. The initial, orange, glow, of a World
Shaking attack was emanating from Uranus' right fist. Sailor Mercury would
contribute with her super attack, but Lead Crow began ahead of her.
"GALACTICA..."
The two Sailor Senshi began in unison. "MERCURY... AQUA..." "WORLD..."
"TSUNAMI!!!" "RHAPSODY!!!" "SHAKING!!!"
The ensuing explosion rocked the hallways, sending friend and foe alike
to the ground. The blast defeaned the ears of the Sailor Team, even the
Starlights looked dazed. It was the anima-mates who recovered first. Lead
Crow ordered them to hustle into the booths. She wasted no time in scurrying
with Aluminum Siren towards one of them. She had almost made it, when Sailor
Uranus' hand grabbed her ankle, twisting it, and tripping her to the floor.
"I won't let you get away that easily," Uranus said, determined as ever.
Siren kicked away the grip on her partner's ankle, grabbing Lead Crow's wrist
and running into a booth. They weren't prepared for Sailor Mercury, who ran
full throttle into the booth, forcing the two anima-mates against the glass.
"Everybody in the booths, now!" she yelled. Uranus was surprised, as she saw
that Mercury was doing an excellent job of pinning the two anima-mates. She
seconded her idea. "You heard, her, let's go!"
"What!?" Sailor Mars yelled. "We won't all fit in there!"
Pluto answered for her. "We don't have a choice. It don't suppose
Mercury would ask us to get in if she hadn't finished her scanning." Pluto
ran off, full tilt, jamming Iron Mouse and Tin Nyanko in the other booth with
her Time Key. Venus and the others followed suit, cramming themselves into
the confined space of each booth.
Soon, only Moon and Mars had yet to choose a booth. Mars cursed under
her breath. "Sailor Moon," she began, "...all I have to say is, is that I
sincerely hope you haven't been eating too many snacks lately."
Eternal Sailor Moon laughed nervously. "Well, I *did* have something to
eat before we got here." Mars groaned, and threw herself into the booth with
Nyanko and Iron Mouse. Sailor Moon went into the other booth with Siren and
Crow, just as the teleportation began to take place. The golden light had
started to surround the telephone booths, until they were engulfed completely
by it. Amidst the ruckus, and the uncomfortable feelings, Sailor Tin Nyanko
recalled what she had said earlier in the day.
"If I get stuck with the little pipsqueak, I'm going to have a very,
bad, day."
Sailor Iron Mouse was smiling up at her, her body currently being
entangled with the other senshi in the booth.
"I'll scream if you say anything," Nyanko said to Iron Mouse.
"Well, it's not so bad, I mean, yeah, we're being crushed to death by
the Sailor Senshi, but I mean..." Sailor Iron Mouse babbled for what seemed
to be an eternity. Meanwhile, the stress and anger began to rise in Sailor
Tin Nyanko, until she could take no more. She had to let it out, and she did
just that...
...in the form of a high-pitched wail, similar in volume and magnitude
to a wail from Usagi Tsukino -- "Little Miss Decibel" -- herself.
Lead Crow was hysterical. Not only was she cramped against the panes of
glass, she began to her Tin Nyanko screaming at the top of her lungs. "What
is that idiot doing!? She'll drive us nuts!" Nyanko's wailing also had an
effect on the Sailor Team. Venus wondered if she was in any way related to
Esmeraude.
Before Lead Crow could provide further insight into the stupidity of Tin
Nyanko, the booths stopped moving. They had arrived at their destination,
the Ginga Television station.
"Let me out, I can't breathe!"
"Get off my face, dummy!"
"Calm down! I'm sure if we just..."
"Shut up! Hey, could someone twist my arm back where it's supposed to
be?"
"Stop yelling, I can't think!"
"You could, if you could just move your knee out of my face you moron!"
"Girls, this is getting us nowhere!"
"Help!"
"Hey, that was a guy's voice! Are you somewhere in here, Tuxedo Kamen?"
Nyanko continued to scream.
"That's it," Lead Crow said angrily. "GALACTICA..." Just then, the
doors to both telephone booths opened instantly, spilling the Sailor Senshi,
the Starlights, and the anima-mates onto the floor. It took them some time
to regain their composure, but eventually, battle started again, until the
anima-mates were forced to retreat to where the elevator was.
The elevator to Galaxia's throne room.
The anima-mates dodged both Jupiter's and Neptune's attacks, until they
sealed themselves in the elevator, doors closing protectively. They
retreated back to their master, like dogs ceasing to lick their wounds. It
gave the Sailor Team and the Starlights a chance to catch their breath as
well.
"Boy, that was an experience," Sailor Moon said innocently.
Tuxedo Kamen nodded his head from side to side, repeatedly. "Never
again," he muttered, "...never again."
"Where is this place?" Venus began.
Sailor Saturn checked the desks and general office space around her.
On a wall, she noticed a plaque with an engraving on it. She read it aloud.
"Ginga Television. Honoured with the Silver River Award for fifty years of
outstanding service and quality entertainment."
"Ginga TV..." Mars said. "So this is Galaxia's hideout?"
"Not likely," Mercury replied. "However, I am getting strange readings
from that elevator the anima-mates took."
"Bingo," Neptune said simply. "How much do you want to bet that's where
the big 'G' herself is?"
"Well," Sailor Star Maker began, "...we're going after Galaxia. Are you
going to help us or what?"
"Of course! This is our planet, after all!" Sailor Moon's cheery
attitude did not sit well with Sailor Uranus, who considered it her duty to
look out for Sailor Moon's well-being, and that of Usagi Tsukino's as well.
She didn't completely trust the Starlights. In the back of her mind, she
compared them to how she didn't initially trust the Three Lights. But Uranus
put the thought aside and concentrated on the mission. Now was not the time
for anything other than the task at hand.
"Well," Pluto said, "...shall we?"
A silence came over the soldiers gathered together. No one spoke. They
knew what had to be done about Galaxia. Senshi looked to Senshi, Starlight
to Starlight, and nodded. They entered the elevator, not saying a word to
each other. When the doors closed, the lights went out. They would continue
the ride to Galaxia's lair in darkness.
The slow torture of a lengthy elevator journey did not come, as the ride
was short. The elevator doors slowly opened, as the Sailor Team steeled
themselves for conflict. The ominous red glare of Galaxia's lair cast
shadows everywhere. As the Sailor Team fanned out into position, Galaxia's
throne could be seen in the shadows. The red light's intensity increased,
revealing an amused Galaxia sitting on her throne. A large portal appeared
behind her, swirling in a myriad of colour. Every soldier tensed for battle,
until more light came on, and they saw the bodies of the anima-mates lying on
the floor. Sailor Moon gasped. They were missing their bracelets. She
remembered what had happened to Iron Mouse the first time she had tested
Galaxia's patience.
Eternal Sailor Moon went forward, but was stopped by Sailor Pluto.
"Toys," she said simply. "Puppets. That's how Galaxia used them. It is
best not to think about it." Sailor Moon wasn't one to challenge Sailor
Pluto's wisdom, so she held her peace. Still, anyone, even an enemy, used in
the form the anima-mates had, deserved much better than this. Usagi had
never changed since becoming Sailor Moon and the Princess. She would never
cease to care about anyone.
Uranus looked Galaxia square in the eye, Venus and Neptune right beside.
"What is it that you want, Galaxia?"
Sailor Star Healer cut her off. "It's all about Star Seeds. With them,
she'll have enough power that she can open a type of portal, like a black
hole, which has the power to consume entire planets. With an entire galaxy
devoid of life, she can then create her own, new galaxy, with her own
life forms." She motioned towards the anima-mates. "It looks like they
were just test subjects. We're here to make sure the galaxy doesn't see any
more of them."
Sailor Star Maker continued. "If we don't stop her from attaining
enough Star Seeds, she'll be able to open the portal. We Starlights protect
the galaxy, and can't allow this to happen."
"We're here to put her out of commission -- permanently." Sailor Star
Fighter finished.
"My, my," Galaxia laughed. "I see you've been keeping tabs on my
current events. Still keeping track of the 'old score'?"
Star Fighter became angry. "You bet we have..." The Starlights took
fighting stances. Off to the side, Mars began chanting the words for her
super attack.
"Spare me," Galaxia said. "You haven't a prayer in stopping me."
"Wanna bet?" Sailor Moon replied, hands on her hips. When the Sailor
Team gave her questioning looks, she began to get nervous.
"You of all people, Moon Child," Galaxia began. "I hate you most of all
since..." she cut herself off, shaking her head. "No matter, I'll have my
revenge on you all, especially you."
"Revenge? Me?" Sailor Moon asked herself. "What could she possibly
want revenge for because of me?" She paused to think on it, as Saturn began
conversing with Galaxia. Until, however, she noticed that Mars was
whispering something behind her back. Somehow, she hadn't observed Mars
positioning herself behind Moon, out of Galaxia's view.
"Usagi," she said quietly, "...don't move until I tell you to."
"Wha--"
"Don't."
Sailor Moon held firm, sweat running down her forehead. She flapped her
wings to cool herself off. She noticed it was getting hotter for some
strange reason. Then, she sensed the glow coming from behind her. It was
red, so she immediately thought it was the red glow from the throne room
rising in intensity. It might just be a red spotlight turning on, focusing
on the Sailor Senshi. Or, it could be just her anxiety, or the nervous
feeling within her...
...or the glow coming from a Flame Sniper arrow.
Sailor Moon could her anger in Galaxia's voice. She was shouting back
and forth with Venus and the Outer Senshi.
Sailor Moon heard Mars' faded whisper. "Usagi..."
"H-h... hai..."
"Duck."
Eternal Sailor Moon thrust herself downward, lying on the ground with
her hands crossed over her head. Mars' Flame Sniper shot past the Sailor
Senshi and the Starlights, striking Galaxia dead center in the chest. It
didn't penetrate her armour, but it startled her enough to give the Senshi
time. Time, to start the secondary attacks.
The Sailor Senshi began pouring it on. Uranus employed her Space Sword
Blaster attack. Similarly, Neptune used her talisman, the Deep Aqua Mirror,
and attacked with a Submarine Reflection. Galaxia rose off her throne, but
every time, she was beaten back by an attack. Soon, she was down on her
knees, and the Senshi held back, victorious.
For the moment.
Galaxia recovered her breath from her kneeling position. Her eyebrows
arched to give her a menacing look. Eyes glittering like golden treasure,
lips curled in a ferocious snarl that bore her teeth. Her fists clenched in
anger and hate, she rose slowly to her feet. To her surprise, the Sailor
Senshi stood there, motionless.
"Fools," Galaxia thought to herself. "You haven't won yet. Not by a
longshot." She threw them her most vicious smile, and with a single wave of
her hand, blasted them all to the floor. Galaxia laughed mockingly, as the
Sailor Senshi and the Sailor Starlights lay dazed and scattered.
She walked amongst the Senshi triumphantly with a sway in her gait. On
the ground, Sailor Moon noticed that Galaxia's movements were similar to the
ones she gave when she walked away from Seiya in the park. It was as if she
was walking in Galaxia's place. She had no time to think further as Galaxia
started speaking.
"So, you thought you could best me with your pitiful little powers?"
Galaxia stood over a weakened Sailor Mercury and kicked her hard in the
stomach, making her scream out in pain as she clutched her midsection. The
rest of the Senshi groaned weakly in response, yet in their eyes, flashes of
anger arose.
Galaxia continued on, until she came to Sailor Uranus, who could barely
keep her head up. Galaxia reached down and grabbed Uranus' chin in her hand,
forcing Uranus to look up at her. "The great Sailor Senshi, known for their
honour and fighting prowess," she began. Galaxia's expression turned to
darkness once again. She slapped Uranus violently to the floor. "Pathetic."
She continued on her rampage, extracting vengeance on each of the Senshi.
"Weaklings, fools, idiots... PATHETIC! ALL OF YOU!" she howled in rage.
Until at last, she came to Eternal Sailor Moon.
"And you..." Galaxia said slowly. "How could I ever forget you?"
Galaxia took a step forward, forcing Sailor Moon to retreat backwards, but
there was nowhere to run. There was nowhere to run even if she had the
strength to.
Galaxia's expression softened. "It's not your time yet. I'll kill you
later. But first," she turned towards the Starlights. "It's time for a
little fun."
Sailor Star Fighter's eyes widened in response.
--
End of Part Seven
No, I am not a Metallica fan.
Andre Garde (a.k.a. Veritech) | Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Team HQ!
veritech@cryogen.com | http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/5991
"Sailor Moon" character names et. al. are Copyright (C) Naoko Takeuchi,
Toei Animation, and Kodansha. In other words, companies with big wallets and
a collection of high-priced lawyers who aren't to be trifled with. The story
is MINE, Copyright (C) 1996 ME, but everything else (the characters, the
names) is theirs, theirs, theirs. Please don't sue me.